Sex, Spies, Lies, Murder – a World Wide Web of Deceit

17 June 2011

Sex, Spies, Lies, Murder – a World Wide Web of Deceit

Silo Theatre presents the NZ Premiere of I LOVE YOU BRO

The extraordinary true story of a teenage chat-room junkie and his unyielding desire for love comes to The Herald Theatre from July 29th. Discover the shocking events that unfolded in Manchester, 2003 with Adam Cass’ I Love You Bro, part of Silo Theatre’s “Second Cousin” programme.

Meet the modern boy: a chatroom junkie, remarkably clever but desperately lonely and longing for connection. He’ll spin a web of deceit that will destroy two lives – all for the glory of love. He wants to be someone and online he can become anyone he wants. Identity can be fluid and honesty optional. When he logs in, he begins to live.

But this is not another story in the troubled teen canon. This is the true story of a boy who conspired to have himself murdered.

The truth is stranger than fiction, they say. In this instance, that phrase has never sounded so amplified. Weaving an intricate tale of sex and spies, 14 year old John convinced his 16 year old friend Mark to kill him – by acting out the roles of a number of aliases.

Having read about this incredible story in Vanity Fair in 2005, Australian playwright Adam J.A Cass sculpted the real life events into a complex one-man-show that has had audiences at both the Edinburgh and Melbourne Fringe shocked and intrigued.

It’s not just overseas where such an astonishing series of events took place; only recently, the exploits of one Natalia Burgess became public knowledge. The New Zealander took to social networking sites weaving an imaginary life as three different people, affecting the lives of four different men – all who fell in love with one of her many aliases. One of which took his own life.

I Love You Bro marks the launch of Silo Theatre’s “Second Cousin” brand; a counterpoint to the main-bill repertoire Second Cousin work will be immediate, risky and pattern-breaking. Expect new theatrical adventures, readings and reconfigurations - works from a new generation of theatre makers at a pocket friendly price.

Director Sophie Roberts has become one of the leading young lights in the theatre scene of New Zealand, with both her directorial and acting credits. One of the founders of Almost A Bird Theatre Collective , she made her acclaimed star turn as Adolf Hitler’s personal assistant in Wolf’s Lair.

This production also marks the second time this year Roberts will be directing Tim Carlsen after their season of One Day Moko at The Basement. I Love You Bro marks Carlsen’s debut with Silo Theatre, ahead of the company’s final show of the year (Tartuffe). Carlsen a graduate of Toi Whakaari, has spent a great deal of time developing his own work, One Day Moko, which has taken him to New York to work with the hallowed troupe The Wooster Group.

Two emerging talents from the Toi Whakaari dynasty and a production that will challenge audiences to think differently about the ‘online’ realm. This is vital viewing for Mum, Dad and the teens.

“I Love You, Bro is well worth the price of a ticket. It is socially relevant…compulsory viewing….” – ABC BRISBANE

“…an utterly successful, vital piece of true theatre. Go see.” - FRINGEREVIEW.CO.UK

I LOVE YOU BRO plays
July 29 – August 20th 2011 (TWENTYSOMETHING performance – August 1st)
OPEN DIALOGUE: August 16th, post performance
Herald Theatre, THE EDGE
Tickets: $25.00 - $35.00 (service fees apply)
Tickets available through THE EDGE – www.buytickets.co.nz or 09 357 3355

ENDS

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